Hot topics in November

Precision landing

ILLUSTRATION DAN MATUTINA

INTERVIEW LASLO SEYDA

Lufthansa has made a full entry into the digital age. These useful apps could well prove to be good travel companions.

1

Lufthansa VR

This is an app that lets you get to know an aircraft or your destination before you fly. Be a virtual observer at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, at the foot of Brooklyn Bridge or in the cockpit of a stunt plane. An inspiring 360° experience …

4

Rimowa Electronic Tag

Waiting in line with your suitcase is history: The ­Rimowa app allows you to create a digital tag for your case and transmit your flight data to it via Bluetooth. Now you’re checked in and can drop off your bag

5

Intime

Is there still time for a coffee before your flight? This app gathers movement data at the airport in real time and predicts how long it will take you to reach your gate. Due out in late 2017.

6

Flynet

More and more long- and short-haul Lufthansa flights now have FlyNet on board. Hook up to the Internet via smartphone, tablet or laptop and see how time flies, as you surf, chat or enjoy your favorite television series in the air.

7

Nice View Mobile

Since 2013, in-seat screens on long-haul flights have offered passengers their own flight perspectives, live. With Flynet, you can now follow where you’re going live on your tablet or smartphone.

8

Flyinglab

Attend a conference at 10 000 meters: Passengers on FlyingLab flights have the opportunity to test new wearables and join discussions on subjects like technology, health, zeitgeist and sustainability.

9

AR Snackbox

Quite the prototype: Connected to a cell phone or data glasses, this little black box will augment reality by showing you the allergens present in an on-board meal or the special deals available in the Lufthansa WorldShop.

10

Lufthansa App

When you land, a push notification tells you which conveyor your bag is arriving on and provides other useful information, too. So far, the service is available in Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart and Milan. Available from app stores.

11

Linea

It rarely happens, but what if your baggage is delayed? The Linea platform will automatically notify you if it’s a case for compensation and then let you pick your preference: voucher, bonus miles or direct payment. Still at the testing stage.

12

Travelguide

A pocket city guide: From Aberdeen to Zurich, there are hundreds of Lufthansa destinations complete with regularly updated tips about sightseeing, restaurants, bars and arrival airports. Log in and explore the world.

»Flying becomes an event«

Lufthansa has made a full entry into the digital age. These useful apps could well prove to be good travel companions.

Mr. Wingenter, why is digitalization so important for Lufthansa?

Innovation is part of our DNA. We were the first to offer in-flight Internet and we established the mobile boarding pass. But our core aim of enriching peoples’ travel experience is not limited to flying. Our aim as a modern airline is to make the entire travel chain more agreeable.

It’s not so easy to reinvent the wheel…

We take our lead from start-ups: Instead of honing a new concept over a three-year period, we spend that time creating a prototype and letting customers test it – as we did with our chatbot Mildred. This way, we soon know which direction to take on the next version, whether to scrap our idea or perhaps turn it into an entirely new product. Most important of all: Our services have to offer real benefits.

This month, another two FlyingLab flights will test new developments. Why are these events so important?

The FlyingLabs not only provide inspiration for new apps and tools, they also feature talks and presentations, which have gained a momentum of their own. Strangers are suddenly striking up conversations, exchanging ideas and generally networking. Some of our customers specifically book a Flying Lab flight, and so like-minded people going to the same conferences or involved in similar research come together on board. That’s so much more than transportation from A to B; flying becomes an event.

What will future air travel look like?

We’re working on more than 300 digital projects right now. Digital technology develops too fast to make reliable predictions. One possibility might be a smart suitcase that reminds you to pack a toothbrush. Or a sleep mask that measures your brain waves and wakes you at a good time. Perhaps people will measure and evaluate their vital functions with wearables – but only those who want to. Passengers aren’t guinea pigs, after all.